Ryan Nembhard delivered one of the most impressive performances in Dallas Mavericks history, dishing out 23 assists—second-most in franchise history—as the Mavs cruised to a dominant 149-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

Nembhard was just shy of a triple-double, contributing 15 points, nine rebounds, and a career-high 23 assists in the season-ending game. Only current Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has recorded more assists in a game for Dallas, with 25 in a two-overtime affair in February 1996.

John Poulakidas had a career-best 28 points off the bench for Dallas (26-56), including an efficient 8 of 16 from beyond the arc. Tyler Smith and AJ Johnson each scored 20 points, while Moussa Cisse added 17 points and a career-high 20 rebounds, showcasing his dominant presence in the paint.

In a bittersweet moment, rookie Cooper Flagg, who had been outstanding all season, was forced to leave the game early after spraining his left ankle while attempting an offensive rebound in the second quarter. Despite the injury, Flagg’s stellar campaign concluded with 10 points.

For Chicago (31-51), Rob Dillingham led the charge with 25 points, while Collin Sexton added 19, Leonard Miller scored 17, and Lachlan Olbrich notched a rare triple-double, contributing 10 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists in a valiant effort.

Dallas set the tone early, erupting for a 16-0 run after briefly trailing 2-4, establishing an 18-4 lead that they would never relinquish. Flagg, Khris Middleton, and Max Christie were key to the Mavs' scorching first-quarter offense, with Dallas shooting a blistering 15 of 23 from the field. Cisse capped the period with a powerful dunk, giving the Mavericks a 45-34 lead.

In the second quarter, Smith added 12 points off the bench as the Mavericks continued to dominate at both ends, outscoring Chicago 35-22 to take an 80-56 lead into halftime. Dillingham kept the Bulls afloat, contributing 10 points in the quarter for a 17-point total by halftime.

Poulakidas took over in the third quarter, scoring 22 points, including 6 of 9 from three-point range, as Dallas expanded their lead to 115-81. Heading into the final frame, the Mavericks held a commanding 119-88 lead, despite sitting Flagg, Middleton, and Christie for the entire second half.

The Bulls fought back in the fourth quarter, outscoring Dallas 40-30, but it was too little, too late as the Mavericks sealed the victory.

With their dominant offensive display, the Mavericks finished the season on a high note, providing fans with a glimpse of the future as young players like Nembhard, Poulakidas, and Cisse showed their potential for the years to come.

Box Score:

Dallas Mavericks:

John Poulakidas - 28 points

Ryan Nembhard - 15 points, 9 rebounds, 23 assists

Tyler Smith - 20 points

AJ Johnson - 20 points

Moussa Cisse - 17 points, 20 rebounds

Cooper Flagg - 10 points (injured)

Chicago Bulls:

Rob Dillingham - 25 points

Collin Sexton - 19 points

Leonard Miller - 17 points

Lachlan Olbrich - 10 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists

-Field Level Media/Reuters